South America Highlights and Least Favourite Places

Highlights from the Trip

Mindo, Ecuador – Hummingbirds and Hermit Trails

We did the Hermit Trail in Mindo, and it turned into one of my favourite experiences on our trip. Entry costs $5 per person, and you can see over 40 species of hummingbirds up close. Some even land on your hand if you have nectar. Going to feed the hummingbirds with dozens of them flying around you and landing on your hand was insane. I took some of my favourite pictures here as well. I can’t help it, hummingbirds are one of my favourite bird species. I think this was one of my most special experiences coming so close to these birds. I’ve seen plenty from a distance, but never this close. I can’t recommend it enough.

In addition, you can do a night walk at the same place for $15 where I saw my first whip scorpion and glass frog.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador – The Dream Come True

The Galápagos had been on my bucket list since I was six years old, and after some careful planning, I finally made it! I know the Galápagos is on everyone’s list, and yeah, it’s expensive. But it was one of the best parts of our entire trip.

From swimming with sea lions to all the strange-looking birds and reptiles to FINALLY seeing the giant tortoises and getting so close to them, it felt like stepping into a biology book. I’m glad we decided to just go for it despite the cost. I know it’s cringe, but definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tambopata, Peru – Loud Monkeys and Big Spiders

Tambopata is one of the gateways to the Amazon in Peru, and it’s a much more affordable option than the Brazilian Amazon. We stayed at a local hostel just outside of town, booked tours directly to save money, and still saw loads of wildlife without breaking the bank.

It gave us some of the most intense wildlife moments of the trip. We had howler monkeys moving through the trees a few metres away from us, and I finally saw my first tarantula in the wild, something I’d been hoping for for years.

Torres del Paine, Chile – Fall Colours and Pumas

We spent a few weeks across Patagonia, but Torres del Paine stood out by far. This stunning national park in Chile’s Magallanes region is absolutely mind-blowing and accessible for both experienced trekkers and beginners.

We were insanely lucky to arrive just before winter hit, with the fall colours still in full effect. Mirador Base de las Torres is probably the most iconic trek in Patagonia, and for a reason. Everything felt dramatic: big mountains, amazing hikes, and… pumas.

Actually seeing mountain lions in the wild by pure luck was unreal and something we’ll probably never forget. Another surreal moment was a condor landing just a couple of metres away from us.

Iguazú Falls, Brazil – Rainbow Overload

I love waterfalls, and Iguazú delivered in a big way. We visited both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, and it honestly blew me away.

Iguazú wasn’t just another beautiful stop, it was one of those places that lived up to (and maybe even beat) the photos and hype. For me, it was a photography paradise. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. With the rainbows arching in front of the waterfalls and the sheer power of the water all around, it looked almost too good to be true.

My Least Favourite Places

Not everything was a hit. Some spots were disappointing, either because of the weather, logistics, or just bad timing. That doesn’t mean they’re bad places, just that, for me, they didn’t quite live up to expectations.

Riobamba & Chimborazo, Ecuador – Sketchy Vibes and Snowy Letdowns

Riobamba is the city where you base yourself to visit Chimborazo National Park. It ended up being one of the sketchier places we stayed, which already gave it a bad vibe.

Our trip to the Chimborazo volcano was also a letdown, not just because of the weather (snow everywhere), but also because, in hindsight, it didn’t feel as dramatic or impressive as other places we visited. We couldn’t go up the volcano due to conditions, so it felt like a bit of a bust.

Salkantay Trek, Peru – Rain, Crowds, and Regret

The Salkantay Trek is a popular multi-day alternative to the Inca Trail. It takes 3–5 days to get to Machu Picchu. I don’t know how to say this nicely, but the Salkantay Trek was awful for me.

I cried, felt miserable, and honestly, the views weren’t even that rewarding. It was overcrowded, even in off-season. We sometimes had to wait in line while hiking. At least 150 people were on the trail, and tour groups clogged up the narrow paths.

Day 2 and Day 3 were especially brutal, with one stretch walking 3 hours next to a train track in pouring rain. The kind of rain where everything is soaked within five minutes. By the end, we were physically exhausted, mentally drained, and just done.

For context, I’ve only cried three times during hikes:

• During my ultramarathon in Chile

• In Huascarán National Park on the Santa Cruz trek (also due to nonstop rain)

• And now. Peru wins with two out of three. I wouldn’t do it again.

El Chaltén, Argentina – Meh After Torres

I know this one’s going to be unpopular, but El Chaltén didn’t really do it for me. Known as Argentina’s trekking capital, this small Patagonian town offers access to glacial lakes, peaks, and tons of hikes.

But coming straight from Torres del Paine, which set the bar ridiculously high, Chaltén just felt… less impressive. The hikes were all in the same area, so after one or two, it got repetitive. You keep seeing the same views. Also, the prices were absurd,$40 for a one basic hike?

That said, I really enjoyed our break in El Calafate, a peaceful town by a big lake. That’s where I saw my first flamingoes up close.

Emas National Park, Brazil – Ghost Town in the Cerrado

Emas National Park is one of the last pockets of protected cerrado (Brazilian savanna) in the southern Pantanal region. Surrounded by endless cornfields, it’s like a tiny island of biodiversity trying to hold out against agriculture.

We were hoping to see tapirs, maned wolves, anteaters, even an anaconda. But the park felt strangely empty. It might’ve just been bad timing, but for how remote and hard it was to get there, it didn’t feel worth it.

We did get lucky on the way back to Campo Grande and spotted an armadillo on the road. So not a total loss.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, this trip was full of extremes. Some places blew me away with their beauty, wildlife, or sheer weirdness (in a good way), while others didn’t quite land. But that’s part of the travel experience, right? Not every place is going to be life-changing, and sometimes even bucket-list destinations fall a bit flat depending on when you go or what you expect.

If anything, this trip reminded me that travel isn’t just about the picture-perfect moments, it’s about the weird weather, wrong turns, surprise sightings, and yes, even the soggy train-track treks that you swear you’d never do again (but lowkey kind of enjoy complaining about).

Would I do it all again? Yes. Just maybe not the Salkantay Trek.